Alouettes reverse course on cheerleaders after 'wave of pure love'

Alouettes cheerleaders perform during a game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 22, 2018. Credit: Dominick Gravel, Montreal AlouettesPhoto by Dominick Gravel/ Montreal Alouettes

Following a wave of criticism and negative reaction from their fans, the Alouettes announced the reinstatement on Monday of their cheerleading team for its 2020 home schedule.

“I’m happy and overwhelmed,” said Annie Larouche, who coaches the team and is also the director of the Als’ foundation and community relations. “I’m relieved. At the same time, I’m just happy (the organization) listened to our fans. It means a lot to me.”

The organization announced last Wednesday it was eliminating the cheerleading squad because of financial reasons. The Als were owned and operated by the CFL last season before being purchased in early January by Ontario steel magnates Sid Spiegel and Gary Stern.

Alouettes cheerleaders perform during a game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 22, 2018. Credit: Dominick Gravel, Montreal AlouettesDominick Gravel

The Als have lost millions of dollars recently. It’s no secret the new owners want to restructure the business office, shed expenses — and probably employees as well — in an attempt to make the organization profitable in the near future.

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While it was Stern, who will serve as the team’s lead governor, who probably made last week’s decision, all moves are made by the organization as a whole. And it was the passion expressed by the fans that made the organization reconsider its move five days later.

“I knew, if we were to cut the team, there would be a reaction. But I never expected something that big,” said Larouche, an Als front-office employee for 24 years. “It’s a wave of pure love. I was deeply touched by it.”

The cheerleading team consists of 32 members — 16 dancers and 16 who perform acrobatic stunts. Of the 32, 26 are female. Each member receives $100 per game. The Als had 11 home games last season, including exhibition and playoffs. Some cheerleaders also make community appearances, augmenting their income.

While Larouche couldn’t confirm the team again will consist of 32 members, she said tryouts for the 2020 season will be held on Feb. 29 following two dance-prep classes, Feb. 17 and Feb. 24.